Legislation to override presidential veto on Navajo Council winter session agenda

By Marley Shebala
Special to the Times

WINDOW ROCK – The Naabik’íyáti Committee recommended that the Navajo Nation Council override President Buu Nygren’s veto resolution that would approve virtual attendance at chapter meetings

Without debate, the Naabik’íyáti Committee voted 16 in favor, and 3 opposed Legislation 0255-23, which seeks Navajo Council approval to override Nygren’s Nov. 3, 2023, veto of Navajo Council resolution CO-85-23. On Oct. 17, 2023, the Council voted 16 in favor and 3 opposed to resolution CO-85-23, which approved virtual attendance and voting by registered voters at chapter meetings.

The legislative staff reported in a Friday press release that 0225-23, the presidential override legislation, is scheduled to go before the Navajo Council during its annual winter session from Jan. 22 to 26.

No mandate for virtual attendance

Navajo Council Health, Education, and Human Services Committee Chairman Vince James, who is sponsoring 0255-23, stated in a Friday press release that 0255-23 does not mandate that chapters allow virtual attendance.

Nygren, in his Nov. 3, 2023, veto message to the Navajo Council, stated that he used the presidential veto because “personal presence and engagement of our tribal leaders with their constituents at open meetings allows for meaningful, thoughtful, and collaborative debate, which allows everyone to work toward a resolution. Virtual attendance diminishes and undermines the personal involvement that leaders have with their voters and community members.”

He added that after reading the resolution and public comments, he saw one issue. It appears to be obtaining a quorum, which chapter officials are encouraged to address at the chapter level.

Read the full story in the Jan. 4 edition of the Navajo Times.